From the Musical, “HELLO, DOLLY!” 1964.
Words and Music by Jerry Herman.
Copyright ©6 Mar 1964 (published in Vocal Selections).
The sheet music:
Lyrics:
I have always been a woman who arranges things
For the pleasure and the profit it derives
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like furniture and daffodils and lives
When a man with a timid tongue meets a girl with a diffident air
Why should the tortured creatures beat around the bush
When heaven know Mother Nature always needs a little push!
So I put my hand in here, I put my hand in there
And a girl over six foot three loves a man who comes up to her ear
Surely it’s obvious she’ll never be seduced
‘Til some kind soul condescends to give her beau a little boost
So I put my hand in here, I put my hand in there
I have always been a woman who arranges things
It’s my duty to assist the Lord above
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like luncheon parties, poker games, and love
My aplomb at cosmetic art turned a frump to a trump lady fair
She had a countenance a little bit like Scrooge
But oh today you would swear the Lord himself applied the rouge!
When I put my hand in here, I put my hand in there
And twist a little, stir a little, him a little, her a little
Shape a little, mold a little, some poor chap get sold a little
When I use my fist a little, some young bride gets kissed a little
Pressure with the thumbs, matrimony comes
When I put my hand in there
For when my little pinky wiggles some young maiden gets the giggles
Then I make my knuckles active, “My, “ he says. “She’s so attractive”
Then I move my index digit and they both begin to fidget
Then I clench my palm. The preacher reads a psalm
When I put my hand in there!